300-plus pound Dan Connolly of the New England Patriots ran back a 71-yard kickoff return and every offensive lineman in the NFL silently rejoiced. According to the Associated Press, Connolly’s kickoff return is the longest ever by an offensive lineman.

Before Sunday, Connolly’s biggest career highlight may have been helping the Patriots become the first team in 2010 to record over 100 rushing yards (103) against the Steelers defense. He was originally signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as a rookie free agent prior to 2005 and eventually released in 2007. Connolly was signed to the Patriots’ practice squad and played his first full season in 2009 and has had some limited experiences at the full back position in some goal line situations.

Amazingly, Connolly ran the entire field without being tackled once carrying the ball like newborn baby, stiff arms and eventually gets tackled at the 4-yard line. Wow.

“They won’t be kicking to him anymore, I’ll tell you that,” Tom Brady jokingly quipped after the game.

So what’s more unbelievable, Dan Connolly’s run or the Patriots almost losing to a Aaron Rodgersless Green Bay Packers team?